Marker of Faith

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18

John sat on the steps outside of the mosque with a cigarette dangling from his lips, but the smoke did nothing to mask the odor of the room that seemed permanently trapped in his nostrils. Even though the sun was now shining brightly on the outside world, the daylight couldn't chase the shadows lurking in the mosque's entrance, and John felt a chill that settled low in his bones. He shivered and hugged himself tightly. He heard shuffling footsteps in front of him and looked up to see Rattle standing there.

"You look like one of my jungle buddies after a raid -- all spooked and twitchy," the old man said.

"Yeah, I'm rattled," John said with a weary sigh.

"How you think I got me my name? Only so much of a man's insides can you see outside on the ground before your mind rolls up into itself." Rattle sat down next to him. 

John looked down at the police line and saw two cops trying to keep the large crowd of looky-loos back.

"How did you get through the tape?"

Rattle smiled and whispered, "Just ducked under and walked right on up."

"Jesus, this thing is so seriously fucked up." John groaned.

"Now, don't be too hard on them boys," Rattle said with a shrug. "This ain't usually such a violent, murdery town and it's takin' its troll-toll on everyone. I'm sure if I looked crazy enough, they woulda just shot me." He chuckled.

"Hmmm," John grunted. Rattle frowned and leaned in close to him.

"Was it bad in there?" he asked softly.

John huddled down and put his head between his knees. "What do you think? I need a drink."

"Here." Rattle handed him a bottle wrapped in a paper bag, and smiled. John hesitated and then took it.

"Fuck it," he said as he took a sip of the warm Mad Dog 20/20. "Ack, that's awful!" John handed it back while wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

"Hell yeah, but it gets the job done!" Rattle laughed and then took a drink himself. He looked up and saw Rodriguez walking up the steps towards them with a frown on his face. Rattle nudged John and cradled the bottle close to his body.

"Hey, John," Roddy said, looking warily at Rattle. "What's going on?"

"Hello, Roddy. Have you met Rattle? He's my new Material Witness," John said with a catch in his voice. He laughed, then let out a choked little sob, and then laughed again.

"Jesus, John..." Roddy crouched down next to him. "You shouldn't be here. It's too much, too soon." He shook his head and stood up again.

"Well, I am here!" John said hotly and reached for Rattle's bottle again. "I think you better not judge me until you see Mr. Picasso in there." He took a drink and grimaced. He wiped his mouth and said in a harsh whisper, "No, more like Mr. Puzzle Man. Yeah, that fits better." John nodded thoughtfully at the description, and then looked up at Roddy with a sour look on his face.

Rattle reached over and took John by the arm. "Okay, let's take a walk," he said as he hefted him to his feet and put the bottle away. He looked at Roddy sadly and pulled John down the steps.

"John, I need to talk to you, man." Roddy put his hand out to stop him, but John pushed by.

"Just go look at the body, then we'll have a chat," John said. "I have to get out of here." He pulled away from Rattle and stalked down the steps. Roddy stood open-mouthed, horrified at John's reaction. He looked over at Rattle and shook his head in disbelief.

"Is everybody losing their frickin' minds?" the M.E. shouted. "John, there's some really weird shit going on around here! I need to talk to you!"

John ignored him and kept walking. Rattle hesitated then shrugged his shoulders and followed John down the steps.

"Crazy's just floatin' in the air, amigo," John yelled, waving over his shoulder at Roddy. "Call me."

John held up his cell phone and turned the corner with Rattle hustling to catch up.